How to Make Readers Connect with Characters

Dec 2

This Christmas Year, I’m giving myself a Christmas Themed Writing Prompt Challenge!

I’ve created 25 writing prompts for 25 days of Christmas.

What can you expect to see from me during this challenge?

Everyday, on my YouTube page for Vlogmas, I’ll give you the day’s Christmas Themed Writing Prompt, a Practical Writing Prompt Tip, and then, I’ll read my response aloud.

And for my visual folks, I’ll add the writing prompt to my blog!

Writing Prompt #1:

Pretend you’re in a world where Christmas music has been banned, and for the first time, you are listening to Christmas music. Write your experience.

Practical Writing Prompt Tip:

Readers must be convinced of characters’ experiences and feelings. Show them, don’t tell.

That Old Christmas Song

“Have I told you of the time when Christmas music was banned?”

My eyes find the tiny ones staring at me with wonder and a tinge of sleepiness. My hand pats my thigh, inviting my only grandchild to sit on my lap. She displays a domino-like grin before nestling in my arms, resting her brown, curly head against my chest, and looking at me with the expectancy of hearing a grand and magical tale.

“There is only one way to tell this story…by beginning with my first time. The first time I pressed play on the tarnished radio box. The first time it blinked to life. The first time my ears heard Heaven. When the melodies poured like oil from the singer’s tongue, I did indeed think Heaven had opened, and the angels were singing.

“Of course, I had heard music before, but nothing compared to the voice singing of a child born a king. Nothing compared to the bells gracefully ringing with the words—each respecting the beauty of the other. And nothing compared to the softly sung joy of the soothing, old hymn.

“To say I was captivated would be an understatement. I was brought to life. With one song, my world had changed. The stars were no longer tiny lights in the sky but were the brilliant lights guiding me to the baby king’s birth. And the snowy nights were more than givers of chills and shivers; they were a reminder that even in the cold, miracles do fall from Heaven.”

The sweet-toned sounds of soft snores bring my eyes to the little one asleep in my arms. Content in watching her rest, I hold her closer and begin humming that old Christmas song.